Our Waimakariri Libraries and Greenspace teams are hosting a free event on Monday 14 April with a sausage sizzle, a special Waimakariri Libraries Storytime, and a chance for children to get active and outdoors these school holidays.

The StoryWalk follows the children’s book of ‘Five Wee Pūteketeke’ by North Canterbury author Nicola Toki.

Pages of the book have been printed onto large signage boards and installed at different points along the 1.5km trail loop. Children can make their way around the wetlands, reading the story as they go.

The StoryWalk Project began in the United States by Anne Ferguson and the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. The idea became popular in New Zealand during the Covid-19 lockdown when libraries put up temporary signage boards with book pages laminated to them for people to read on their walks.

Waimakariri Librarian Anna Paterson said StoryWalks were popping up in other areas of New Zealand, so she was keen to have one in Waimakariri.

“This is an opportunity to highlight New Zealand authors.

“With the easy-to-follow story and beautiful illustrations, as well as the added bonus of the wildlife in the story being found at Northbrook Wetlands, Nicola Toki’s ‘Five Wee Pūteketeke’ fitted the brief.”

The wetlands hold historical significance and were once the site of early European industry including flax mills, a brewery, fellmongery and a tannery.

Today, the area is a wildlife and recreation reserve and a refuge for waterfowl including scaup, paradise ducks, black swans and pūkeko.

Council’s Greenspace Design and Planning Team Leader Grant Stephens said StoryWalks are a great way to encourage families to get out and enjoy our great network of parks and reserves in Waimakariri.

“This is our first permanent StoryWalk and highlights a special bird, the pūteketeke/crested grebe. As well as a fantastic reserve which is accessible and great for walking, you can enjoy native birds and plants within central Rangiora.

“We hope that this will be the first of a number of StoryWalks across the District over the coming few years.”

StoryWalk Launch at Northbrook Wetlands

• Monday 14 April, 11am – 1pm
• Entrance is off Cotter Lane, Rangiora
• The path is suitable for bikes and prams. Please keep dogs at home
• RSVP for this event on Facebook.